[Fot] TR3 race motor losing water

[Don TR]

I had a leak somewhere in the radiator of my 1958 TR3A and took the valance
off to re-solder (and later JB Weld) all around sloped filler extension
where it joins the header.  I did this three consecutive years.  But it
still kept leaking.  Maybe only a cup of coolant every two weeks.  I could
see the stain where it had dripped down the fins on the rear of the
radiator.  My TR3A is a tourer, not a race car.

So I took it out again and took it to a radiator shop.  He plugged the hose
inlet and outlet, and checked it with 40 psi compressed air.  He found the
leak right away.  It was along the folded and soldered seam that runs the
full length up the sloped bottom of the extension.

If you say your sensor is down under there, the fitting may be leaking.

Don Elliott, Original Owner, Montreal

-----Original Message-----
From: fot-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:fot-bounces at autox.team.net] On
Behalf Of MadMarx
Sent: December-15-13 10:24 AM
To: 'Friends of Triumph'
Subject: Re: [Fot] TR3 race motor loosing water

Hi,

had the same problem over the years.
It was always the head bending of full throttle and long straights.
Kas solved this for me:

He told me to put a 0.236" (0.6mm) wire on top of the sleeves.

Never any problem again.

Cheers
Chris

-----Urspr|ngliche Nachricht-----
Von: fot-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:fot-bounces at autox.team.net] Im
Auftrag von Geoff Byrne
Gesendet: Sonntag, 15. Dezember 2013 13:35
An: Friends of Triumph
Betreff: [Fot] TR3 race motor loosing water

AMICI

We have a TR3 race car which keeps loosing water from the radiator and we
don't know why any thoughts from the collective wisdom of FOT



Problem:

too much water/coolant pumped out of radiator

only occurs on circuit with long straight.

never overheats or runs too hot

low water warning light comes on towards end of race, ( situated bottom of
header tank extension)

leak down test 98% seal

head pressure tested

recovery cap (6 and 12 lb) fitted to header tank, overflow to recovery tank
(Morris 1100), drains into bottom of recovery tank, and overflow to catch
tank(open to atmosphere)

initially, fluid ran from recovery tank to overflow catch tank, and then
vented all over engine.

radiator serviced, obstruction in tubes found and cleared, catch tank no
longer overflowed.

i.e. less fluid leaving cooling system

using 5 blade improved impeller pump, no thermostat (1" restrictor plate,
bypass occluded)

w/pump rotates at less than, or at most, equal to engine speed

running at approx 6500rpm down straight

at race end, after cool down, recovery tank empty (to level of recovery
intake pipe, recovered) and overflow catch tank is full (approx 400-500ml),
unable to be recovered.

Theory: water pump putting too much water into header tank on long run at
6500rpm, escapes via recovery cap.

But, not explained-- the level in the header tank remains low.

Any advice welcome



Geoff Byrne

TR6 Racer down under
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